Dyeing-machine



F. L. BICKEL.

DYEING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1919.

Patented June 29, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESSES: 6%

6 i A TTORNEY8.

F. L. BICKEL.

DYEING MAGl-HNE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31. 191-9.

1,344,788. I Patented June 29,1920.

.2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

. 1 I %%//W// ///W/// g WITIIESSES- Y INVENTOR 6 Fredawk L zom TTORNEYS.

FREDERICK L. BICKEL, 0F IVYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA.

DYEING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J une 29, 1920.

Application filed May 31. 1919. Serial No. 300,846. i

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK L. BIoKEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ivyland, in the county of Bucks and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1n Dyemg-Machines, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. I

The invention relates to machines adapted for dyeing, bleaching, carbonizing, washing or otherwise treating textile fabrics, or materials.

The invention is more particularly directed to a machine of the above class comprising means whereby the material under treatment, is caused to be periodically compressed and relaxed so as to alternately expel and absorb the treating liquor; means whereby the material is subjected to a slight abrasive action and its position constantly shifted to vary the surface exposed to abrasion; and means whereby the treating liquor is caused to circulate, so that a thorough permeation of the material is effected.

To this end, the machine which I have invented consists of a vat within which oscillates a diaphragm whereby the material under treatment is periodicallylifted from the treating liquor and at the same time compressed to expel part of the absorption. The bottom of the vat is curved in substantial concentricity with the center of oscillation of the diaphragm, and supplemented with a perforated, corrugated, abrasive lining, which is spaced from the vat bottom to afforda by-pass or channel whereby the treating liquor may flow from one side of the diaphragm to the other during its oscillation. Interposed in said channel is a check valve, which not only determines the direction of flow of the liquor, but is further functional in causing the latter to rise upon one side of thediaphragm and flow over the top of the same, and onto the material, thereby setting up an effective circulation.

The organization which is typical of my invention, and wherein the elements above outlined are incorporated, will be best understood from the following detailed de- 'stription.

, In the accompanying drawings, Figure I, is an end elevation of a dyeing machine con veniently illustrating my invention, and

Fig. II, is a cross sectional view of the same.

In its preferred form, my invention consists of a receptacle or vat 1, whose cross sectional configuration, as best seen in Fig. II, is substantially that of a quadrant. This vat is constructed of a non-corrodible material, preferably wood, so as to better resist the action of the'various chemical solu- .tions ordinarily employed in the arts of dyeing, bleaching, etc. The structure is bounded at its ends, by walls 2, which serve, through the instrumentality of stay rods 3, to sustain between them, the longitudinal rear wall 4:, and the curved bottom 5, the

latter terminating at the front of the machine,- at a level somewhat above its vertical center. The vat is closed by a cover con sisting of a fixed section 6, extending about half way across the top, and supplemented with a movable section 7, mounted to swing about a hinged connection indicated at 8. The movable cover section is provided with a longitudinal perpendicular front board 9, the lower end of which is adapted to seat upon the ledge afforded by the top end of the curved bottom as shown in Fig. II.

Thus, when-the cover is in its lowered position, the board 9, forms in effect, a continuation of the curved bottom 5, thereby completely closing the front of the vat. In order to afford the necessary rigidity, the board 9, is braced by means of a number of metal angles or brackets one of which is shown at 10.

The bottom of. the vat is jacketed to provide a by pass or channel 11, for the dye liquor circulation, as will be more definitely explained later. The subdivision is effected by a corrugated sheet metal lining or false bottom 12, suitably spaced from the curved bottom and having its ends wrapped about tubular supporting bars 13 and 14, which run longitudinally of the structure and are appropriately secured in its end walls. At

its lower terminus, the passage 11, communicates with the interior of the vat through an opening 16, subject to the automatic control of a check valve 17, which is fulcrumed about the bar 13. The troughed channels 18, of the corrugations are pierced by a series of drain apertures as clearly shown at 19, in Fig. II.

In the course of the treating operation, as

practised according to my invention, the material under treatment represented conventionally at M, in Fig. 11, is subjected to the action of an oscillating diaphragm 20, suspended by means of arms 21, from a rock shaft 22. Said shaft is journaled in the end walls of the vat at a point somewhat forward of the rear wall l, with the resulting formation of an interspace 23, behind the diaphragm. During oscillation, the lower end of the diaphragm 20, moves very close to the corrugated bottom working sur face afforded by the lining 12, a slight variation being however established by virtue of the eccentricity of the rock shaft 22, with respect to the center of curvature of said lining or partition 12. Thus in swinging upward toward the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 11, (the normal limit of oscillation) the outer end of the dia phragm 20, moves a little farther away from the lining, so as to prevent the material from being pinched between the end of said diaphragm and the ridges of thecorrugations.

The diaphragm is supplemented at its upper and lower edges, with inward projections and 26, respectively adapted to engage the mass of the material under treatment. Said diaphragm isalso provided near its top with a series of apertures 27, for the passage of the treating liquor, the normal in the retracted position shown.

' is to be put in practice.

level of which is indicated at 28, in Fig.11.

As a means for actuating the'diaphragm, I have arranged a driving mechanism which will be best understood from Fig. I. This mechanism includes a main shaft 30, which may be driven from any suitable source of power, and in turn imparts rotation, through a pinion 31, to a gear 32. Said gear is supplemented with a crank pin 33, connected by a link 35, with a slide block 36, adjustably set upon an arcuate arm 38, which is fixed to the protruding end of the rock shaft. Said arm has its center of curvature co-incident with the axis of rotation of the crank gear32 when the arm is The various adjustments of the block are fixed by a hand screw 37. By the provision of an arrangement such as above set forth, the amplitude of oscillation of the diaphragm may be varied according to the requirements of the particular use to which the machine Furthermore, by virtue of the peculiar curvature of the arm 38, the latter will always come to the limit of its retracted movement in the illustrated position regardless of the position of block 36, on said arm.

The device is also provided with auxiliaries such as a perforated steam pipe 39, extending longitudinally of the vat and serviceable for boiling or heating purposes;

and an outlet 40, for draining the vat; said quickly, the diaphragm and openings 27, and onto position illustrated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 11. When the diaphragm is brought to rest in its uppermost position, said board forms in effect, a continuation of the same so that the material may be rolled down the inclination without necessitating any actual lifting. In some cases where the na-' ture of the material will 'permit, the machine may be unloaded without actually stopping the same.

The operation of my invention is as follows:

As the diaphragm moves through the active portion of its oscillation, in urging the material forward and upward, the level of the treating liquor rises at the front of the diaphragm and drops at the rear of the I same, the resulting difference of head causing the displaced liquor to flow downwardly through the perforated lining and channel (the valve 17, opening automatically at this time) toward the-rear of the diaphragm. If the liquor in the front of the diaphragm rises above the openings 27 ,'a portion of the same will also flow through said openings to the rear. As the liquor draws from the material mass, the latter, by virtue of its own weight under saturation, settles upon the surface of the corrugated lining, thereby offering resistance to being moved by the diaphragm. As a consequence of the action, the lower surface of the material will be gathered and compressed by the co-action of projection .26, with the corrugated lining into a series of pl'aits, thereby expelling the greater amount of the absorption, and the upper portion of the mass will remain comparatively relaxed. Notwithstanding the resistive action of the corrugated lining, it is to be understood that the material mass as a whole is nevertheless shifted to a considerable extent.

The return movement of the diaphragm causes the valve 17, to close, and the liquor on the rear side of said diaphragm to rise the excess flowing over the top of the material. This action will continue un- 12( til a state of equilibrium of the liquor is established upon both sides of the diaphragm for which purpose the openings 27, are more especially provided. As the diaphragm retracts, the material does not roll 1 back as might be expected, because the corrugated lining prevents any movement of that portion with which it is in direct contact, and therefore, the greater bulk left in a relaxed condition, as above noted, breaks or 13 chine brought to rest with the diaphragm in the operative may readily remove the madivides substantially at the center of the mass and fills the intervening gap. This latter action is assisted by the cascading of the liquor over the top of the diaphragm as already described. I

From the foregoing, it will be seen that by the cooperation of the several associated elements, which constitute my invention, not only is the liquor caused to circulate through the material, but the position of the latter is continuously shifted and at the same time subjected to a compressive action, which insures thorough permeation without causing any tangling and injury resulting directly therefrom. This is of the utmost importance in the treatment of delicate fabrics which will not stand the tumbling upon which principle most dyeing machines o'perate.

After the action has 'progressedto the desired degree, the block 36 is shifted higher up upon the arcuate arm 38, and the mais then thrown open and the board 15' dropped to its lowered position whereupon advantage as far as the circulatory pnnci. le is concerned.

aving thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a machine for treating fabrics or materials, the combination of a receptacle or vat for the treating liquor; and means for compressing the material under treatment to expel a part of the absorption comprising a diaphragm adapted to oscillate in said vat and periodically move the material under treatment out of the treating liquor.

2. In a machine for treating fabrics or materials, the combination of a receptacle or vat for the treating liquor, said vat having a curved corrugated bottom working surface; and an oscillating diaphragm having its outer end swinging substantially in concentric relation'to the curved bottom work-' ing surface and adapted to compress the corrugations, its lower edge gradually recedes so as to prevent any pinching of the material.

4. In a machine for treating fabrics or materials, the combination of a receptacle or vat for the treating li uor, said vat having the cross sectional 'con guration of a lower circle quadrant; and, an oscillatory diaphragm swinging substantially in concentric relation with respect to the curvature of the vat whereby the material under treatment is periodicall moved out of the treating liquor, an at the same time compressed to expel a part of the absorption.

5. In a machine for treating fabrics or materials, the combinationof a receptacle or vat for the treating liquor, said vat having the cross sectional configuration of a lower circle quadrant, and having a corrugated interior working surface corresponding to the curved wall; an oscillatory diaphragm swinging substantially in concentricity with said curved surface and adapted to compress the material and'at the same time shift the same upwardly along the curved corrugated surface and out of the liquor, whereby, when the diaphragm is retracted, the corrugations sustam the portion of the material with which they are in contract, while the bulk of the material divides and falls back into the liquor into the s ace cleared by said diaphra 6. n a machine for treating brics or materials, the combination of a receptacle or vat for the treating liquor; a diaphragm adapted to lift the material under treatment from the treating liquor when moving in one direction; and'cooperative means whereby when the diaphragm moves in the opposite direction, the treating liquor is caused to surge over the top of the diaphragm and onto the material.

7. Ina machine fortreating fabrics or materials the combination of a receptacle or vat for the treating liquor, said vat having a channeled bottom; an oscillatory diaphragm adapted to effect motion of the material in the treating liquor; and means whereby, when the diaphragm is moved in one direction, the liquor displaced is permitted to flow through said channeled bottom to the other side of the diaphragm, but when the latter moves in the opposite direction, the displaced liquor is caused to fiow over the top of said diaphragm and onto the material. I

8. In a machine for treating fabrics or materials the combination of a receptacle or vat for the treating liquor, said vat having a curved bottom; a perforated lining concentrically spaced from said vat bottom to form a channel; an, oscillatory diaphragm having its end swinging in close proximity to said lining; and a checkvalve interposed in said, channel whereby the liquor is permitted to flow from one side to the other of the diaphragm when the latter moves in one direction, but which automatically closes When the diaphragm moves in the reverse direction, whereby the liquid is caused to rise at the opposite side of the diaphragm and flow over the top edge of the same and onto the material.

9. In a machine for treating fabrics or materials the combination of a receptacle or vat for the treating liquor; an oscillatory diaphragm for moving the material under treatment in said liquor; and means for varying the amplitude of oscillation of said diaphragm without changing the limit of its movement in one direction.

10. In a machine for treating fabrics or materials, the combination of a receptacle or vat for the treating liquor; an oscillatory diaphragm for moving the material under treatment in said liquor; means for varying the amplitude of oscillation of the diaphragm including a rock shaft from which said diaphragm is suspended; an arcuate arm secured to said rock shaft; a slide block adjustably set upon said arcuate arm; a crank; and a connecting rod interposed between said slide block and crank, the center of curvature of said arm being coincident with the-crank axis when said arm is in the retracted position, whereby the limit of motion of said arm in one direction is fixed notwithstanding the various adjusted positions of said slide block.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 13th day of May 1919.

FREDERICK L. BICKEL.

Witnesses JAMES H. BiiLL, E. L. FULLERTON. 

